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Tra Vinh
Area: 2,295.1 sq. km
Population: 1,036.8 thousand habitants (2006)
Capital: Tra Vinh Town
Districts: Cang Long, Cau Ke, Tieu Can, Chau Thanh, Tra Cu, Cau Ngang, Duyen Hai.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Tay, Hoa...
Introduction: Geography, Tourism, Transportation.
Attraction:
- Historical & Cultural Vestiges: Ang Pagoda.
- Scenic Landscapes: Ba Dong Beach, Ba Om Pond.
- Cultural Travel: My Long Sea Worshipping Festival.
Geography
 Located on Mekong River Delta, Tra Vinh Province borders Ben Tre, Vinh Long provinces on the north, Soc Trang Province on the west, and East Sea on the east with 65km seaside.
Topography includes coastal plain, alluvial deposits, hundreds of mounds and sand caves, a complex network of rivers and canals.
Tra Vinh is on tropical monsoon region. The weather is hot around the year. The dry season lasts from December to April. The rainy season is between May and November. Annual average temperature is 26ºC.
Tourism and Economy
Surrounded by Tien and Hau rives and long coast, Tra Vinh's economy base on agriculture, aquaculture, fish and shrimp breeding. The province is covered by verdant plants in garden village along bank of river.
Ba Om Pond is an attraction of Tra Vinh. It is surrounded by hillocks and many old sao and dau trees with  odd shape of roots. In the afternoon, flocks of birds perch on the trees and make this area exciting and noisy.
There are 140 pagodas of Khmer, 50 pagodas of Viet (Kinh) and 5 pagodas of Hoa. The famous ones include Ang, Sam-rong-ek, Co, Hang. Co Pagoda is home of thousands of birds including storks, cong coc and pigeons.
Transportation
Tra Vinh Town is 66km from Vinh Long, 205km from Ho Chi Minh City, 110km from Ben Tre, Mytho. There are National Highways No.53, 54, 60 linking the districts of Tra Vinh and neighbor provinces.
Attraction
1) Historical & Cultural Vestiges
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Ang Pagoda
Location: Ang Pagoda is located in Nguyet Hoa Commune, Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province.
Characteristics: Ang Pagoda is one of the Khmer ancient pagoda systems in Tra Vinh Province and the architecture of pagoda is ancient and unique.
The pagoda is 7km from the centre of Tra Vinh Town, covering an area of 4ha and it is surrounded by old trees of Ba Om Pond.
It was recognized a national cultural relic by Ministry of Culture and Information.
2) Scenic Landscapes
 Location: Ba Dong Beach belongs to Truong Long Hoa Commune, Duyen Hai District, approximately 55 km from Tra Vinh City.
Characteristics: Ba Dong Beach coast is lined with white sand for 10km. The air is clear and fresh.
During the colonialism era, the French built a resort and used it to rest and swim. This resort is also enjoyed by Vietnamese who spend weekends and vacations there.
Unfortunately, wars have destroyed all the road system to Ba Dong Beach. Tra Vinh Province authorities are now evaluating the possibility to rebuild the road system. Tra Vinh tourism office also plans to renovate and exploit Ba Dong seaside resort and turn it into an attractive tourist site in Cuu Long River Delta.
Location: Ba Om Pond (also called Ao Vuong) lies in Nguyet Hoa Village, Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province.
Characteristics: The pond consists of limpid and calm water surrounded with sand dunes. The air around the pool is healthy and fresh.
The pool, covering an approximate area of 10ha, lies along the National Highway 53, 7km southwest of Tra Vinh. The pond is 500m in length and 300m in width and its water is always tranquil, clear and blue. It is surrounded by hillocks and many old trees of sao and dau whose roots emerge on the ground and form numerous odd shapes that create a unique beauty. The atmosphere is cool and pure all the year round. In the afternoon, flocks of birds perch on the trees and make this area exciting and noisy.
Ba Om Pond is an ideal tourist and relaxing site in Tra Vinh. When coming here, visitors not only contemplate the beauty of the Pond and the old trees, but also visit the ancient Khmer Ang Pagoda, which is classified as a national historical and cultural relic, and obtain knowledge about the culture of the Khmer people.
It is certain that you will hear of an extraordinary legend about a Khmer woman called Om, who created the Pond in a competition with the Khmer men for women to gain the right of selecting husbands for them.
3) Cultural Travel
Time: From 10th day to the 12th day of the fifth lunar month.
Place: Ba Chua Xu Temple, My Long Town, Cau Ngang District, Tra Vinh Province.
Objects of worship: Ba Chua Xu (the local goddess), Ca Ong (whale).
Characteristics: The festival of the fishermen in the southern coastal areas. The festival includes rites: welcoming the Lord Whale, procession of Ba Chua Xu, sacrifice to the Agriculture genie. Games: bag jumping (jumping in the bag), tug-of-war, fish catching.
(Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) |
